Charging apparatus



Jam 14, 1958 c. E. HERSCHEL ETAL 2,819,808

CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 31, 1952 IN V EN TOR5.

CARL E. HERSCHEL CHARLES 0. VANDENBURGH ATTO United Star CHARGING APPARATUS Application December 31, 1952, Serial No. 329,045

13 Claims. (Cl. 214-17) This invention relates to automatic stoking or charging apparatus of the type adapted to deliver precisely measured successive changes of material from a supply duct to a receiving duct in ofiset relationship therewith.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an automatic charging apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of material in the presence of superatmospheric pressure in either or both the supply source and a receiving device for the material. It is another object to provide a charging device in accordance with the foregoing object specifically adapted for handling xanthated cellulose material such as obtained at intermediate stages in the manufacturing of regenerated cellulose products and stored and supplied in the presence of gaseous carbon disulfide. Still another object is to provide charging apparatus in accordance with the above objects that is spark-proof and otherwise free from the hazard of explosion or fire. Another important object particularly urgent in the handling of materials such as xanthated cellulose crumb is the provision of apparatus, the interior of which is readily accessible for cleaning. Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the drawing relating thereto in which Fig. 1 is a shortened plan view of a charging apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a shortened View partly in section taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a section taken along line I1I-III of Fig. 2.

In general, the objects of the invention are fulfilled by the provision of apparatus for transferring a particulate, friable to fluid, or fiowable material from a supply port to a receiving port. The ports are disposed in offset relationship on opposite sides of a straight-passageway within a guideway or housing of the transferring apparatus. A sliding reciprocable member adapted to fit within the passageway has a measuring chamber extending between and terminating at each end in an opening adjacent to the opposing surfaces of the passageway containing the ports. The reciprocable member has at least one extension which projects longitudinally along one of the surfaces containing a port to cover such port when the slide member is positioned with one of its openings in registry with the other port. The slide member has surfaces in engagement with the surfaces of the passageway for guiding the slide member between positions of registry of the measuring chamber with each port. For access to each of the ports or any duct or receptacle walls connected therewith, the guideway is provided with an opening and a removable closure extending thereover spaced across the passageway opposite each port. In a preferred embodiment, the opening covered by each closure has the shape and size of, and is disposed for registry with, the adjacent opening of the measuring chamber when the slide member is positioned for registry of the oppositely disposed port with the other opening of the measuring chamber.

The single embodiment of the invention herein de- 2,819,808 Patented Jan. 14, 1958 ice scribed is illustrated by the figures of the drawing which show an outer housing 4 or guideway enclosing substantially all of the other parts of the apparatus. The housing 4 is provided with laterally extending flanges 5 and 6 adapting the apparatus to be mounted upon a foundation or frame, not shown. Supported inside the housing is a reciprocable member 8 which travels within a passageway 9 defined by plane surfaces 10 and 11 and surfaces 12 and 13 (see Fig. 3) which extend rectilinearly parallel to the length of the passageway. In the same planes as the surfaces 10 and 11 are surfaces 15 and 16 of closures 1'7 and 18 respectively which also constitute portions of the walls of the passageway 9. The plunger or reciprocating member 8 has .a large circular bore 20 therethrough which constitutes the measuring chamber thereof. The member 8 comprises also a plate section or extension 22. which slides along a surface 23 in the same plane as surfaces 10 and 15 as shown in Fig. 2. The extension 22 may be constructed with flanges 24 and 25 adapted to slidably engage the surfaces 12 and 13 respectively of the passageway. The passageway is herein illustrated and described as rectangular in cross-section but may be of any cross sectional contour as long as the member 8 is complementarily contoured or shaped to subserve the objects of the invention as hereinbefore stated.

The housing 4 is provided with ports 27 and 28 which extend through surfaces 10 and 11 respectively. Attached to the housing are ducts 31 and 32 having their passageways contiguous with the ports 27 and 28 respectively. The ducts 31 and 32 may constitute connecting portions of a material-supplying receptacle and a receiving receptacle respectively.

As shown, the ports 27 and 28 are disposed on opposite sides of a plane that extends normally with respect to the surfaces 10 and 11. When the apparatus is to be used under conditions in which there is a substantial difference existing in the pressure within the ducts 31 and 32, it is essential that the ports 27 and 28 be separated by a distance such that no blow-through can occur between the ports by way of the measuring chamber as a result of simultaneous overlapping relationship of the chamber 20 with both ports. The embodiment shown and herein described is adapted to transfer material from the ducts 31 and 32 or vice versa, wherein a difference of pressure exists within the ducts. The ports are separated with respect to the lengthwise direction of the passageway for the member 8 to an extent such that the projections of the ports between the parallel planes in which the ports are located, i. e., the planes containing surfaces 10 and 11 are separated by a distance at least equal to the greatest width of the measuring chamber measured longitudinally of the passageway. With respect to the circular chamber shown in the drawing, the distance of separation of such projections of the ports will be at least equal to the diameter of the chamber 20.

In the intended use of the apparatus, the housing is mounted in the orientation suggested in the figures of the drawing with the duct 31 extending upwardly so that a material may be supplied to the measuring chamber 20 by gravity through the duct 31, and discharge from the measuring chamber by gravity after the reciprocator is moved to place the measuring chamber in registry with the port 28.

The reciprocating member 8 is transferred between the positions thereof which place the receiving chamber 20 into registry with either of the ports 27 and 28 by a fluid-cylinder 34 connected with the member 8 by a connecting rod 35. The fluid is alternatively admitted and discharged in the opposite ends of the cylinder through ports 36 and 37 which are connected through the walls of the casing to exterior tubing 38 and 39, respectively. The cylinder is anchored within a housing 4 and is completely enclosed therein since the housing is substantially sealed except for the ports 27 and 28 through the walls thereof. Access to the cylinder is had by removal of a closure 40 shown secured over the complementary opening of the housing by means such as a plurality of bolts 41.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transfer apparatus of the invention is constructed for handling explosive or highly combustible materials, the construction being carried out in such a manner as to render it substantially sparkproof and well grounded with respect to possible accumulations of static electricity. A specific application of the present invention is to meter accurately measured amounts of highly corrosive chemically active material such as xanthated cellulose crumb. Such difiiculties as those just suggested are overcome by constructing the housing 4 of a relatively non-corrosive material such as cast iron, stainless steel, or cast-nickel and the reciprocable member from a material that is relatively soft and non-metallic so as to avoid the production of sparks of non-electrical character by impact or abrasion. As lubrication of the engaging surfaces of reciprocable member 8 and the housing is undesirable because of likely contamination of the xanthated cellulose by the lubricant, the member 8 is constructed preferably of one of the chemically stable synthetic resins characterized by surfaces having a waxy and slippery feel. Examples of such resins are polytetrafiuoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and polyethylene. Bodies constructed of such resins are inclined to accumulate static charges in frictional movement with other non-conductcing substances. However, in the present invention the housing preferably comprises an eificient conductor particularly along those surfaces in sliding engagement with the reciprocable member and, if grounded properly, all static charges of any appreciable magnitude are effectively drained from the resinous member 8. The member 8 when constituted of one of these resins, is self-lubricating and highly resistant to chemical attack from strong alkali or acid.

The opening through the housing which is sealed by the closure 17 is preferably, but not necessarily, of the same diameter as the port 28 and as shown is disposed for precise registry with the internal periphery of the port 28. The same relationship exists with respect to the chamber between the port 27 and the opening to the housing covered by the closure 18. By such an arrangement, excellent access is provided to the surfaces defined by the measuring chamber 20, the ports 27 and 28, and the passageways of the ducts 31 and 32 whereby the cleaning of strongly adherent material from all such surfaces is greatly facilitated. So that the member 8 will stop at positions wherein the periphery of the chamber is precisely registered with the ports 27 and 28, stopping means such as a set screw 42 extends in threaded relationship through the closure 40 into the path of the member 8 and is engaged by the end portion of the member 22; a set screw 43 may be provided to arrest the movement of the member 8 in the opposite direction.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for metering a fiowable material comprising a housing having an internal straight passageway, said passageway having a pair of opposite sides defined by rectilinear surfaces, each of said surfaces having a port in offset relationship with respect to the port of the other surface, a reciprocable member adapted to fit slidably within the passageway in substantial engagement with said surfaces and having a measuring chamber extending between said surfaces of the passageway with an opening at each end adjacent one of the surfaces, each opening being disposed for passing into registry with the port of the adjacent surface, said ports being disposed lengthwise of the passageway and the chamber being transversely aligned with respect to the surfaces to obtain registry of one opening of the chamber with one port with the other opening being completely offset from the other port, and an extension of the member projecting from the chamber in closely-fitting relationship with one of said surfaces to cover the port in such surface when the member is positioned with the measuring chamber in registry with the other port, said housing having an opening in each of said surfaces disposed on the side of the passageway opposite from each port for communication with an end of the measuring chamber when the member is positioned to place the other end of the measuring chamber in registry with the corresponding opposing port, said housing comprising a pair of removable closures for covering both openings of the housing, a reciprocator for the member mounted within the housing, thehousing being normally enclosed except for the ports.

2. Apparatus for metering a fiowable material comprising a housing having an internal straight-passageway defined by two pairs of opposing rectilinear surfaces of which one pair constitutes the upper and lower sides of the passageway, said upper surface having a supply port and said lower surface having a discharge port in offset relationship with respect to the supply port, a reciprocable member adapted to fit slidably within the passageway in substantial engagement with the upper and lower surfaces and having a measuring chamber extending between said upper and lower surfaces with an opening at each end adjacent one of the surfaces disposed for passing into registry with the port of the adjacent surfaces, said ports being disposed lengthwise of the passageway and the chamber being transverse with respect to the upper and lower surfaces to obtain registry of the opening with its corresponding port with the opening at this position being completely offset from its corresponding port, and an extension of the member projecting from the chamber in closely-fitting relationship with the upper surface to cover the supply port when the member is positioned with the measuring chamber in registry with the discharge port, said housing having an opening in the upper and lower surfaces, each housing opening being disposed in communication with an end of the measuring chamber and on the side of the passageway opposite from the port of the opposing surface when the member is positioned to place one end of the measuring chamber in registry with the corresponding opposing port, said housing comprising a pair of removable closures for covering both openings of the housing, a reciprocator for the member mounted within the housing, the housing being normally enclosed except for the ports.

3. Apparatus for metering a flowable material comprising a housing having an internal passageway defined by rectilinear surfaces in two parallel planes and parallel rectilinear surfaces spaced apart in a direction parallel to the planes and disposed therebetween, the housing having a port in each plane, the ports being separated by a plane normal to the parallel planes, a reciprocable member adapted to fit slidably within the passageway in substantial engagement with said rectilinear surfaces, the member comprising a measuring chamber extending between said parallel planes having an opening at each end disposed adjacent each of the parallel planes, each opening being disposed for passing into registry with the port in the adjacent surface of the housing, and an extension of said member projecting from the chamber in closelyfitting relationship with a surface of the passageway defined by one of the parallel planes, the extension covering the port in the adjacent surface of the housing when the member is positioned with the measuring chamber in registry with the other port, said housing having openings extending through walls thereof disposed on the sides of the passageway opposite from each of the ports and comprising a pair of removableclosures for closing both Openings of the housing, a reciprocator for the member mounted within the housing, the housing being normally enclosed except for the ports.

4. Apparatus for transferring a flowable material comprising a housing having an internal passageway defined by rectilinear surfaces in two parallel planes and parallel rectilinear surfaces spaced in a direction parallel to the planes and disposed therebetween, the housing having a port in each plane, and a reciprocable member adapted to fit slidably within the passageway in substantial engagement with said rectilinear surfaces, the member comprising a measuring chamber extending between the parallel planes and having an opening at each end adjacent each of the parallel planes, the relative spacing of the ports being such that their projections between the planes are spaced a distance at least equal to the greatest width of the chamber measured parallel to the direction of movement of the member, each opening of the chamber being disposed for passing into registry with the port in the adjacent parallel plane, the member comprising an extension projecting from the chamber in closely fitting relationship with a surface of the housing defined by one of the parallel planes, the extension covering the port and adjacent surfaces of the passageway when the member is positioned with the measuring chamber in registry with the other port, a reciprocator for the member mounted within the housing, said housing being completely enclosed except for the ports and comprising a pair of removable panels, each panel being disposed on the side of the housing outside the path of the member opposite from one of the ports over an opening extending through the housing.

5. Apparatus for transferring a flowable material comprising a housing having an internal passageway defined by rectilinear surfaces spaced lengthwise of the planes and disposed therebetween, the housing having a port in each plane, a reciprocable member adapted to fit slidably within the passageway in substantial engagement with said rectilinear surfaces, the member comprising a circular measuring chamber extending between said parallel planes and having an opening at each end disposed immediately adjacent to each of the parallel planes, the relative spacing of the ports being such that their projections between the planes are spaced a distance at least equal to the diameter of the chamber, each opening of the chamber being of approximately the same diameter as the port in the adjacent plane and being disposed within the member for passing into registry with the port of the adjacent plane, the member comprising an extension projecting from the chamber lengthwise of the passageway in closely-fitting relationship with a surface of the passageway defined by one of the parallel planes, the extension covering the port in the adjacent surface of the housing when the member is positioned with the measuring chamber in registry with the other port, said housing having a pair of openings, each housing opening disposed across the passageway from the ports for registry with one opening of the chamber when the member is positioned to place the other opening of the chamber in registry with the port, a reciprocator for the member mounted within the housing, and a closure for each opening of the housing, the housing being enclosed except for the ports.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the surfaces of the closures facing inwardly of respective openings lie within the adjacent planes of said parallel planes.

7. Apparatus for transferring flowable material comprising a housing having an internal passageway defined by rectilinear surfaces in two parallel planes and parallel rectilinear surfaces spaced in a direction extending generally lengthwise with respect to the planes and disposed therebetween, one of the planes being disposed above the other, the housing having a port in each plane, a reciprocable member adapted to fit slidably within the passageway in substantial engagement with said rectilinear surfaces, the member comprising a measuring chamber extending between the planes having an opening at each end adjacent each of the planes, the relative spacing of the ports being such that their projections between the planes are spaced a distance at least equal to the diameter of the chamber, each opening being disposed for passing into registry with the port in the adjacent surface of the housing, the member comprising an extension projecting from the chamber in closely fitting relationship with the surfaces of the passageway defined by the upper parallel plane, the extension covering the upper port in the upper plane when the member is positioned with the measuring chamber in registry with the lower port, said housing having an opening disposed across the passageway from each one of the ports, one of said house openings being in general registry with an opening of the chamber when the member is positioned to place the other opening of the chamber in registry with the opposing port, and a closure for each opening of the housing disposed outside the path of the member, a reciprocator for the member mounted within the housing, the housing being completely enclosed except for the ports whereby material stored in means contiguous with the upper port may be transferred in accurately measured amounts to the lower port through reciprocation of the member between positions of its measuring chamber in registry with each port.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the areas of the housing displaced by each port and the corresponding opposing opening of the housing are generally defined by the adjacent openings of the measuring chamber when the member is positioned to place said openings in registry with one of said ports and its opposing housing opening.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the inwardlyfacing surfaces of the closures extend within planes con taining respective housing openings.

10. In combination with a supply receptacle and a receiver, apparatus for transferring a flowable material from the receptacle to the receiver comprising a housing having an enclosed passageway defined by rectilinear surfaces in two parallel planes and parallel rectilinear surfaces spaced in a direction extending lengthwise of the planes and disposed between the planes, the housing having a port in one plane contiguous with the receptacle and a port in the other plane contiguous with the receiver, a reciprocable member adapted to fit slidably within the passageway in substantial engagement with said rectilinear surface, the member comprising a measuring chamber extending between said parallel planes having an opening at each end disposed within or immediately adjacent each plane, the relative spacing of the ports being such that their projections between the planes are spaced at a distance at least equal to the greatest width of the chamber measured lengthwise of the passageway, each opening of the member being disposed and passing into registry with the port in the adjacent surface of the housing, the

member comprising an extension projecting from the chamber in closely fitting relationship with a surface of the passageway containing the port connected with the receptacle when the member is positioned with the measuring chamber in registry with the other port, the housing having an opening disposed across the passageway from each port, said opposing housing openings and ports being disposed for registry with opposite ends of the measuring chamber, a reciprocator for the member mounted within the housing, a closure for each opening of the housing, said passageway being completely enclosed except for the ports.

11. The combination as defined in claim 10 wherein the one plane is disposed upwardly from the other and the supply receptacle extends upwardly from and is connected with the port in the upper plane, said receiver extending downwardly from the port in the lower plane.

12. Apparatus for transferring a flowable material comprising a housing having an enclosed passageway defined by rectilinear surfaces in two parallel planes and parallel rectilinear surfaces spaced in a direction lengthwise of the planes and disposed above the other, the housing having a port in each plane, a reciprocable member adapted to fit slidably within the passageway in substan tial engagement with said rectilinear surfaces, the member comprising a circular measuring chamber extending between said parallel planes having an opening at each end disposed immediately adjacent each plane, the relative spacing of the ports being such that their projections between the planes are spaced at a distance at least equal to the diameter of the chamber, each opening being disposed relative to the member for passing into registry with the port in the adjacent surfaces of the housing, the member comprising an extension projecting from the chamber into closely fitting relationship with the surface of the passageway defined by the upper plane, the extension covering the port in the upper plane when the member is positioned with the measuring chamber in registry with the other port, the housing having a pair of openings, said house openings being disposed across the passageway from the ports for registry with the measuring chamber when the member is positioned for registry of the measuring chamber with the opposing port, a reciprocator mounted within the housing and connected with the member for moving the member between positions thereof corresponding to registry with the ends of the measuring compartment with a port and its opposing housing opening, said housing being completely enclosed except for the ports.

13. A self-lubricating spark-proof apparatus for transferring a flowable material comprising a housing constituted of an electrically conductive material, the housing and an internal passageway thereof being defined by rectilinear surfaces in two parallel planes and parallel rectilinear surfaces spaced in a direction parallel to the planes and disposed therebetween, the housing having a port in each plane, each port being separated by a plane normal to the parallel planes, a reciprocable member comprising an organic synthetic resin of the type characterized by a waxy slippery feel and having exterior surfaces adapted to fit slidably and complementarily within the passageway in substantial engagement with said rectilinear surfaces, the member comprising a measuring chamber extending between said parallel planes having an opening at each end disposed immediately adjacent each of the parallel planes, each opening being disposed for passing into registry with the port of the adjacent surfaces of the housing, and an extension of said member projecting from the chamber in closely fitting relationship with the surface of the passageway defined by one of the parallel planes, the extension covering the port and the adjacent surface of the housing when the member is positioned with the measuring chamber in registry with the other port, said housing having openings through Wall portions thereof disposed on the opposite side of the passageway from each port, the housing comprising a pair of removable closures for closing both housing openings, a reciprocator for the member mounted within the housing, the housing being normally enclosed except for the ports.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 674,685 Payson May 21, 1901 1,344,809 Merritt et al. June 29, 1920 2,363,463 Pfeitfer Nov. 21, 1944 2,604,216 Martin July 22, 1952 

